Candlelight vigil held for murder victim Khalil Wallace

Staff Photo by Cathy Cramer
A candlelight vigil was held for murder victim Khalil Wallace Monday evening in Woodbine.

WOODBINE — A crowd of about 200 people gathered at the Railroad Trail bike path at 7 p.m. Monday to say goodbye to Khalil Wallace, the 19-year-old who was missing since Sept. 20 and then found dead in Downe Township.

Two Millville men, 27-year-old Andre Gross and 19-year-old Boris Curwin, turned themselves in at the Woodbine and Bridgeton state police stations and are charged with Wallace’s murder and being held in separate jails on $1,000,000 bail.

The crowd of family and friends ranging from infants to the elderly gathered at the intersection of DeHirsch and Washington avenues.

Then, led by Wallace’s family members and clutching balloons and candles, they walked to a park two blocks away and crowded around a small pavilion to share their memories and thoughts on his passing.

“Understand the family needs you to support them,’’ said Pastor Harold Harris, of the First Baptist Church.

He was interrupted by a cry of, “Pray for my brother,’’ from one of Wallace’s three sisters.

She repeated the plea throughout the night between bouts of soft sobbing and, when handed a microphone, was unable to speak to the crowd.

“Some people are going to talk about the bad things he did,’’ said Harris. “I don’t care. Because the Bible says let he who is without sin cast the first stone. He was a man whose smile filled up the whole room. He was a man who would look you in the eye when he shook your hand. These are the things you should remember.’’

Wallace had been charged with several crimes.

He was charged with manufacturing or distribution of cocaine in April, conspiracy to commit robbery in August, and possession of marijuana in September.

He was bailed out for $100,000 the first two times and $50,000 the third.